3 months Ago
Israel already controls about 75 per cent of the enclave; of the major areas in Gaza, only its largest city is still out of Israeli hands. It reportedly foresees shipping hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to the south and boosting assistance to those outside war zones. They have identified five main targets: the disarming of Hamas, liberation of all hostages, demilitarisation of Gaza, assuming security control and basing a new civilian administration that is not affiliated with Hamas or with the Palestinian Authority. Receiving the cabinet's approval with a wide majority, the plan rejected alternatives that did not call for defeating Hamas or the return of hostages.
Military Concerns and Opposition
The final 25 percent is under the control of Palestinians, and it includes a long stretch of coastline (about 14 kilometers) as well as Gaza City, which for Israeli military purposes contains an estimated 1.0 to 1.5 million people.) 'Israel is not going to be with a soldier in Gaza, it is nothing worth conquering — Israel doesn't see the benefit of ruling over Palestinian people for longer than we have to,' said Netanyahu, adding: 'Gaza should be given over to an Arab force'. Israel's military leadership opposes the expansion, but so do many of Jerusalem's traditional allies. The Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, has been reported to warn about the army being overstretched after nearly two years of fighting. He is worried about the dangers faced by troops, as well as the difficulties of keeping security over a region where guerrilla warfare may become more intense. Zamir also cautioned that increased violence would put some twenty hostages alive and the thirty Hamas dead at risk as well.
Public Reaction and Protests
Families of hostages have expressed concerns that broadening the campaign could cost lives in the remainder held by Hamas, or kill them accidentally during military operations. During ceasefire negotiations, Hamas criticised Netanyahu for his plans, calling them a coup and accusing him of sacrificing hostages to serve personal interests. Across Israeli cities, thousands of hostage relatives and freed captives protested as the cabinet debated the plan. Ten protesters were arrested during the Tel Aviv rallies.
